Original Articles
Influence of exclusive breast feeding on occurrence, severity and recurrence of acute lower respiratory infections in preschool children
Authors:
SN Pathirage ,
Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health, LK
About SN
Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo
S Pathigoda,
Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health, LK
About S
Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo
R Peiris,
Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health, LK
About R
Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo
S Sri Ranganathan
Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians, LK
About S
Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology and Consultant Paediatrician, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo
Abstract
Objective: To determine the association between acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI) and exclusive breast feeding practices in children younger than five years of age
Design: Case control study
Setting: Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children, Colombo.
Method: Breast feeding practices in children younger than five years of age admitted with ALRI were compared with that of age and gender matched controls. An interviewer administered structured pretested questionnaire was used to collect the data.
Results: One hundred and four cases and controls were studied; 53% of cases were exclusively breast fed for four or more months compared to 68% of controls (odds-ratio 2). Of the 14 cases with severe ALRI, 14% were exclusively breast fed for four or more months compared to 56% in non severe ALRI cases (odds-ratio 7.5). Proportion of children exclusively breast fed for four or more months was significantly lower (p < 0.001) in cases who had previous hospital admissions for ALRI (31% against 62%).
Conclusions: This study provides further evidence that exclusive breast feeding has protective effect on occurrence, severity and recurrence of ALRI in young children.
Key words: Breast feeding, acute lower respiratory tract infections, case-control study
DOI: 10.4038/sljch.v38i1.525
Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health, 2009: 38: 21-24
How to Cite:
Pathirage, S., Pathigoda, S., Peiris, R. and Ranganathan, S.S., 2009. Influence of exclusive breast feeding on occurrence, severity and recurrence of acute lower respiratory infections in preschool children. Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health, 38(1), pp.21–24. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/sljch.v38i1.525
Published on
10 Jul 2009.
Peer Reviewed
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